any more than

USAGE SUMMARY

"any more than" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to mean "not even more than" and is typically used to compare two or more things. Example: I can't stay any longer than two days, any more than my friend can.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It couldn't be any more '70s".

The New York Times

A model lacking object identity is simply not an object-oriented model any more [Cat91].

Stanford University

You couldn't get a statement from the minister that was any more 180 degrees away from actual reality.

The Guardian

That is good news for a defense that Cottrell does not believe will give up any more 200-yard rushing games.

The New York Times - Sports

Like Tim Farron I am a "Bible-believing Christian who seeks to live obediently to God" (Liberalism has eaten itself – it isn't very liberal any more, 28 November).

The Guardian

I said, "If I got 10, you better not be calling any more 10s because you're going to die right here".

The New York Times

"I don't think my heart strings can handle any more 1-0 wins or any more late goals against us".

BBC

"We don't need any more 20 file sharing solutions," co-founder and chief product officer Irene Tserkovny said onstage.

TechCrunch

That could explain why there aren't any more 70-kg raptors flying around, the researchers say.

Science Magazine

James Bond director Sam Mendes has said he does not want to make any more 007 films after the next instalment, which comes out in October.

BBC

In the sense of energy-efficient transmission, it is obvious that the high-order derivatives of Gaussian pulse may be not a good choice any more [32].

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "any more than" to draw a comparison between two things, emphasizing that if one is not true, the other is also unlikely or impossible. For example, "I can't run a marathon, any more than I can fly to the moon."

Common error

Avoid using "any more than" when a simple comparison with "than" suffices. "He is no taller than his brother" is preferable to "He is not any more tall than his brother" as it's more concise and clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "any more than" functions as a comparative conjunction, connecting two clauses to emphasize that if one statement is untrue or unlikely, the other is equally so. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "any more than" is a comparative conjunction used to draw parallels between two unlikely or impossible scenarios. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for various contexts. While exact examples are currently missing, its function is clear: to strengthen a statement by comparing it to something equally improbable. To avoid misusing "any more than", reserve it for situations where you specifically want to highlight this kind of parallel, and ensure that both parts of the comparison are clearly understood to be highly unlikely or impossible. For simple comparisons, using just "than" is often clearer and more concise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no more than

Uses a different quantifier ("no" instead of "any") to express a similar limit.

not exceeding

More formal and emphasizes the upper limit.

not greater than

Similar to "not exceeding" but more mathematically precise.

at most

Indicates a maximum quantity or degree.

up to

Specifies an inclusive upper limit.

no higher than

Focuses on a limit in terms of height or rank.

not surpassing

A more formal alternative to "not exceeding".

less than or equal to

Mathematical expression of a maximum value.

to the same extent

Emphasizes equality in comparison, rather than a limit.

just as

Indicates similarity or equality in manner or degree.

FAQs

How can I use "any more than" in a sentence?

"Any more than" is used to make a comparison where the first part of the statement is as unlikely or impossible as the second. For example, "I can't sing opera, "any more than" I can conduct an orchestra".

What is a good alternative to "any more than"?

Alternatives to "any more than" include "just as", "no more than", or rephrasing the sentence to use a simpler comparison. The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "any more than" and "no more than"?

"Any more than" is typically used to highlight the impossibility or unlikelihood of something by comparing it to something equally improbable. "No more than" often indicates a limit or quantity. For example, "He ate no more than two slices of pizza" specifies a quantity, while "He can't speak French, "any more than" I can speak Martian" emphasizes impossibility.

Is it ever incorrect to use "any more than"?

Using "any more than" can be incorrect if a simpler comparative structure is more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound convoluted. Use it when you specifically want to draw a parallel between two unlikely or impossible scenarios.